Former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is a starter once again after his new team decided he was the better option over their former first-round pick.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Indianapolis Colts have named Jones their Week 1 starter when they host the Miami Dolphins. Jones, 28, signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts to be in a quarterback competition with their 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson. NFL insider Jordan Schultz was told the competition was “very close” but that Jones’ “experience and consistency” gave him the edge needed to win the job.

After Jones was announced as the starter, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith went on “First Take” to question the move, saying he was worried that Richardson’s career was in jeopardy a and that Jones’ past has shown he is not a true NFL starter.

“There is nobody out here that believes that Daniel Jones is a worthy starter for your franchise,” Smith said. “We know he’s got skills. We know he can make some plays, and we know he can do somethings but for his career with the New York Giants, he’s 24-44-1 record as a starter over the course of his career speaks for itself. We’ve seen more blooper reels from Daniel Jones than highlights.”

Selected by the Giants as the sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft, Jones completed 64.1% of his passes for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns and 47 interceptions in six seasons with the team. However, Jones struggled to show consistency, failed to come up with big plays in crucial moments and turned the ball over too much. The team also made the playoffs only once during his tenure as the starter, being eliminated by the Eagles in the divisional round of the 2022 season.

When the Giants were sputtering and sporting a 2-8 record, Jones was benched in favor of Tommy DeVito and was eventually released. He finished the season as a member of the Minnesota Vikings, first as a member of their practice squad before being elevated to their active roster.

Jones’ new opportunity is important because he has the chance to get himself a big contract next season if he plays well, similar to what Sam Darnold did with the Vikings. Darnold became the starter after then-rookie J.J. McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus in the preseason that ended his season. Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, resulting in the Seattle Seahawks signing him to a three-year, $100.5 million deal this offseason.

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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.

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